Mudbugs Weekly

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs enjoyed their most complete offensive and defensive performances of the season against the Sundogs on Tuesday night. The 'Bugs six goals and three powerplay goals were season highs, while Ken Carroll backstopped the 6-0 win with 43 saves. Travis Clayton enjoyed his first five-point night since 2004 with a goal and 4 assists and also reached the milestone of 900 career points in the win. Jeff Kyrzakos tied a franchise record with 4 assists, Shawn Limpright contributed a goal and two assists and Joe Blaznek scored two goals as well.

Friday, December 4 vs. Amarillo CenturyTel Center L 5-4

GAME NOTES: Amarillo forced the Mudbugs to play from behind for almost the entire game and held on for a 5-4 win despite strong offensive showing from Bossier-Shreveport. Shawn Limpright scored twice to reach 100 career goals, Travis Clayton scored and had two assists and Kyrzakos had three more assists.

Saturday, December 5 at Texas NyTex Sports Centre L 4-2

GAME NOTES: Texas held off a furious comeback attempt late in regulation and then tacked on an empty-net goal to knock off the Mudbugs 4-2 on Saturday night and take a 2-1 lead in the season series. Tyrel Lucas and Travis Clayton scored goals for the Mudbugs, who lost their third straight road game.

THIS WEEK

Monday, December 7 at Amarillo Amarillo Civic Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs face the Gorillas for the second time in four days and the final time this season tonight in Amarillo. The Gorillas topped the 'Bugs 5-4 on Friday night before falling to Missouri 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday. In 19 all-time meetings, the 'Bugs have gone 9-6-4 against the Amarillo Gorillas/Rattlers.

Friday, December 11 vs. Mississippi CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: This weekend Bossier-Shreveport and Mississippi will meet in a home-and-home series for the second time this season. The teams have already played four times so far this year, with the 'Bugs winning three of those games. The Mudbugs swept a home-and-home series with the RiverKings on November 19 and 20 the last time the teams met. The 'Kings are coming off wins over Colorado and Missouri last weekend.

Saturday, December 12 at Mississippi DeSoto Civic Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs and RiverKings will finish off this weekend's home-and-home series Saturday night in Mississippi in their sixth meeting of the year. Of those six games in the season series, Saturday's contest will be the fourth game played at the DCC. The teams will have only four more head-to-head games remaining after this week.

WEEKLY NOTES

Looking for That Road Magic The Mudbugs started the season hot away from home, winning their first four contests on the road for the first time in franchise history. Coming into tonight though, Bossier-Shreveport has dropped its last three games as the visitor, most recently falling 4-2 at Texas on Saturday night. The 'Bugs also lost 5-3 at Rio Grande Valley and 4-2 in Laredo during their current road skid. Only three teams in the CHL have earned more road wins than the Mudbugs' five so far this year.

The C-L-K Line is Clicking The Mudbugs' forward line of Travis Clayton, Shawn Limpright and Jeff Kyrzakos has been on fire lately, accounting for 11 goals in the past four games. Clayton has led the way with five goals and six assists over that span, while Limpright is on a seven-game point streak with ten points (5g, 5a) in that span. Limpright scored two goals in Friday's loss to Amarillo, giving him exactly 100 in his professional career. Kyrzakos tied the Mudbugs single-game record with four assists Tuesday against Arizona and tacked on three more helpers on Friday. He has totaled nine assists in his past four games. The trio has recorded a combined 27 points in the 'Bugs last four contests.

PK is Key Bossier-Shreveport's shorthanded results have had a huge impact on the team's success so far this season. The Mudbugs are a perfect 6-0 this year when they do not give up a powerplay goal and are 2-3 when their opponent scores a single powerplay tally. But out of the eight games in which they have surrendered multiple powerplay goals this year, the 'Bugs have won just once (5-4 in a shootout at Odessa on 10/24).

Clutch 'Bugs The Mudbugs have performed remarkably well in close games so far this season, winning seven of nine games that have been decided by one goal. Of Bossier-Shreveport's nine victories this year, seven have come by a single goal. The Mudbugs are also 3-0 in games going past regulation this season with two shootout wins and another overtime decision. Amarillo handed the 'Bugs their first one-goal defeat since October 23 (a 2-1 loss to Allen) Friday night when they held off a Mudbugs comeback to win 5-4.

Milestone Watch A few Mudbugs are closing in on career statistical milestones. Here is a rundown of the players and the achievements they are nearing:

F Joe Blaznek: 4 goals away from 300

F Tyrel Lucas: 6 points away from 100

F Brett Smith: 4 games away from 300

Clayton's Memorable Night Forward Travis Clayton put on a rare show against Arizona last Tuesday, recording a five-point performance and reaching the milestone of 900 points in his pro career. Entering the game with 895 career points, Clayton tied the Mudbugs record with four assists and then added a third-period goal for the milestone 900th point. Clayton holds the CHL record for career games played and is the league's second all-time leading scorer with 902 CHL points (355g, 547a).

Loose Pucks Tonight is Scott Muscutt's 599th game behind the Mudbugs bench, placing him third in CHL history in career games coached... F Bear Trapp and D Luis Tremblay were signed on Saturday and made their Mudbugs debuts against the Brahmas... The 'Bugs scored multiple powerplay goals (2-7) for just the second time this year Saturday night in Texas... F Joe Ori returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing all of November on IR... The Mudbugs are just 1-7 in Friday games this year, but have gone 5-2-0 on Saturdays...

TICKET INFORMATION: Season tickets, mini-plans and group packages for the 2009-10 season of Mudbugs hockey are available at the team office: 2000 CenturyTel Center Drive, Bossier City, LA 71112. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Individual game tickets can be purchased at the CenturyTel Center box office between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday - Friday, by calling Ticketmaster at (318) 741-9700, or online at Ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.mudbugshockey.com or call the team office at (318) 752-2847.

MUDBUGS RADIO: Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs games, both home and away, are broadcast live on "The Home of the Legends" AM 1130 KWKH and News Radio 710 AM KEEL in Shreveport. Both stations provide free online streaming online at www.kwkhonline.com and www.710keel.com.

CHL TV: New for 2009-10 is the latest version of CHL-TV, powered by Insinc Netcasting. Fans will have the chance to watch all 480 of the CHL's regular season schedule with a $5.95 pay-per-view price. Packages are available as well that give fans the chance to order a month at a time or the entire season. All game archives are offered to catch up on the games you missed for just $3.95. Visit http://chltv.insinc.com for more information.

Season and group tickets are on sale by calling 318-752-BUGS (2847) or by visiting our website at www.mudbugshockey.com.